George Custer: Tragic Hero
George Armstrong Custer has always been recognized as a hero for his bravery during the Civil War and Indian wars. But, although he achieved great success during his short military life, he was doomed for failure. Custer was a fearless leader, and his life and those of his regiment that he led were ended by something that he should have feared: 2000 Indian warriors. George Custer aspired to being a soldier throughout his childhood. He received a nomination to WestPoint, and attended there, but his transition was not easy. His "carefree prankster lifestyle had to give way to the rigid discipline that the academy demanded." ("Custer Biography" www.garryowen.com/bio.htm) Although he thrived in athletics and horsemanship, academics slowed him. He graduated last in his class. But this apparently was not a test of
He was met with by an early yet dignified death, even though he had made a grave mistake. The realization of his swiftness and mislogic must have been terrifying, as his downfall was at hand. His youth served him well at times, but with youth comes inexperience, and this inexperience led to his early and astounding death. " (Dippie 956) He was only 23 years old in 1865, the year of his promotion to brigadier general. Reality is sure to have hit him in the face when his brigade entered the battle field facing those 2000 raging Indians. but his regiment was hopelessly outnumbered, and the entire center column, including Custer and 264 of his men, was destroyed" ("George Armstrong Custer" Encarta '95). After the Civil War, Custer was returned to his rank of captain, and then was promoted to his permanent rank of lieutenant colonel. However, this is Custer's tragic flaw. With either end, Custer was too confident in his skills as a leader. The public was baffled and its reaction was varied on whether Custer attacked too early, or if the other groups had shied away and had been cowards. But he was young and inexperienced, and the same characteristics that gave him the prospects to become a skilled general also led to his downfall. He was now assigned to join troops in the Dakota and Montana territories to fight Indians, and was once again given command of a regiment who would join him in his last, horrific campaign.
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